Tiv/Fulani crises: 36 dead, 10,000 displaced in Benue
By Peter Duru
MAKURDI — No fewer than 36 persons have lost their lives while many more are yet to be accounted for in Naka, Gwer West local Government area following a violent clash between the native Tiv communities and Fulani herdsmen.
Similarly, about 10,000 persons have been displaced in Naka, Gwer West local Government area following a violent clash between the native Tiv communities and Fulani herdsmen.
While over 900 houses, huts and several farmland were also destroyed by the rampaging Fulani herdsmen who were alleged to be mercenaries from neighboring Nassarawa State.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Relief Agency SEMA, Mr. Adikpo Agbase, disclosed this when he undertook an on the spot assessment of the level of destruction in the area.
Agbase who lamented the level of destruction in the affected communities, pleaded with the National Emergency Relief Agency, NEMA, to “come to the aid of the displaced communities who are now living in despair in Naka town.”
According to him, the destruction in the communities was beyond his agency hence the need for assistance from public spirited individuals to alleviate the suffering of the people.
According to him: “What has happened in these communities is simply unbelievable. The level of destruction is shocking and mind-boggling. It is simply beyond our scope and capacity and that is why we are calling for assistance from public spirited individuals to aid the rehabilitation of the displaced people and reconstruction of the affected communities.”
He disclosed that SEMA had started moving relief materials to the affected persons with a view to giving them new lease of life.
He pleaded with security operatives to continue to avail the displaced persons adequate protection in order to avert further destruction and loss of lives in the communities.
Vanguard gathered that at last count, over 36 persons have lost their lives in the violent clash while several persons are still unaccounted for.
